Yesterday morning, dozens of young Israelis sent Prime Minister,
Binyamin Netanyahu, a letter in which they declared their refusal to
serve in the Israeli military[*]. This is the largest group of Israeli
draft refusers in the history of Israel; it is the first act of its kind
in five years, but follows a long tradition of communal conscientious
objection. The current Israeli government is trying to widen the army
draft to all ethnic groups within Israel against their will and young
people from all over the country are reacting by refusing to serve in
the Israeli Army.

The
purpose of this statement is to protest against the ongoing occupation
of Palestinian territories where, according to the signatories human
rights are violated and acts defined by international law as war-crimes
are perpetuated on a daily basis. They are also protesting the way in
which the army influences civilian life, deepening the sexism,
militarism, violence, inequality and racism present in Israeli society.

Mandy Cartner, a 16 years old signatory from Tel Aviv said: "The actions
of the army distance us from finding a solution and from creating peace,
justice and security. My refusal is a way of expressing my opposition to
the wrongs done daily in our name and through us."

Shaked Harari, a 17 years old signatory from Bat Yam, said: "The army
serves the people in power and not the civilians, who are only a tool.
My friends and I refuse to be cannon fodder."

Roni
Lax, a 20 year old signatory from Bnei Brak: We stand in solidarity
with the ultra-orthodox youth and the Arab youth  Christian and Druze,
some of whom are currently in an army prison.

"We,
citizens of the state of Israel, are designated for army service.

We
appeal to the readers of this letter to set aside what has always been
taken for granted and to reconsider the implications of military
service.

We,
the undersigned, intend to refuse to serve in the army and the main
reason for this refusal is our opposition to the military occupation of
Palestinian territories. Palestinians in the occupied territories live
under Israeli rule though they did not choose to do so, and have no
legal recourse to influence this regime or its decision-making
processes. This is neither egalitarian nor just. In these territories,
human rights are violated, and acts defined under international law as
war-crimes are perpetuated on a daily basis. These include
assassinations (extrajudicial killings), the construction of settlements
on occupied lands, administrative detentions, torture, collective
punishment and the unequal allocation of resources such as electricity
and water. Any form of military service reinforces this status quo, and,
therefore, in accordance with our conscience, we cannot take part in a
system that perpetrates the above-mentioned acts.

The
problem with the army does not begin or end with the damage it inflicts
on Palestinian society. It infiltrates everyday life in Israeli society
too: it shapes the educational system, our workforce opportunities,
while fostering racism, violence and ethnic, national and gender-based
discrimination.

We
refuse to aid the military system in promoting and perpetuating male
dominance. In our opinion, the army encourages a violent and
militaristic masculine ideal whereby 'might is right'. This ideal is
detrimental to everyone, especially those who do not fit it.
Furthermore, we oppose the oppressive, discriminatory, and heavily
gendered power structures within the army itself.

We
refuse to forsake our principles as a condition to being accepted in our
society. We have thought about our refusal deeply and we stand by our
decisions.

We
appeal to our peers, to those currently serving in the army and/or
reserve duty, and to the Israeli public at large, to reconsider their
stance on the occupation, the army, and the role of the military in
civil society. We believe in the power and ability of civilians to
change reality for the better by creating a more fair and just society.
Our refusal expresses this belief.